Editor Charles H. Smith's Note: A letter to Joseph Hyder read at the twenty-sixth annual
meeting of the Land Nationalisation Society on 14 May 1907. Later printed on page 65 of the
June 1907 issue of Land and Labour. To link directly to this page, connect with:
http://people.wku.edu/charles.smith/wallace/S638.htm

Broadstone, Wimborne.
May 13th, 1907.

To the Land Nationalisation Society.

Dear Mr. Hyder,

Although it is not safe to halloo before one is out of the wood, I think I may safely
congratulate the Society upon the prospect it now has of obtaining the first-fruits of its persistent
efforts, for a quarter of a century, to form an enlightened public opinion in favour of our views.

If the Government adequately fulfils its promises we shall have, in the Bill for a fair
valuation of land apart from improvements, as a basis for taxation and for purchase, and that
giving Local Authorities full powers to acquire land so valued, the first real and definite steps
towards complete Nationalisation.

It is to be hoped that our supporters in Parliament will take care that the clauses securing
these great reforms are made thoroughly effective. It will then be our business to see that the
Local Authorities are not allowed to shirk their duties; while we must not cease to advocate the
further embodiment in Legislation of our fundamental principles.